Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Mayor (Councillor Chauhan), Councillor Adams and Councillor Sharp.

To order that the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 24^th October 2024 and 6^th November 2024 be signed as correct records.

Council considered the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 24^th October 2024 and the Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 6^th November 2024.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, 8.4(k) it was MOVED that this Council meeting be adjourned until Monday, 20^th January 2025 at 6.00 p.m.

On being put to the VOTE, the MOTION was CARREID UNANIMOUSLY.

RESOLVED: That the Council meeting be adjourned until Monday, 20^th January 2025 6.00 p.m.

On the meeting being reconvened, on 20^th January the Deputy Mayor advised that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 24^th October 2024 had been circulated previously with the agenda pack.

At the meeting of the Council, on 18^th December (prior to the adjournment), Councillor Ghafoor had referred to inaccuracies in the minutes of the meeting held 6^th November 2024, (minute 9 refers) therefore, an updated version of these minutes had been circulated around the Chamber, for members’ information.

At the meeting on 18^th December 2024, the Liberal Democrats had requested an amendment to the minutes of the 6^th November meeting which they felt reflected the Places for Everyone discussion. The proposed amendment had been checked against the meeting’s transcript and the text of the report and the amendment could not procedurally be accepted as an accurate record of the debate.  Therefore, the minutes remained as printed in the updated version issued that had been circulated to council for agreement.

However, the Deputy Mayor noted that in July 2024 the Council debated a Motion proposing a request to the Secretary of State to revoke the Places for Everyone plan for houses and jobs as it relates to Oldham. Instead, Council approved an amended motion, the resolution, which required officers to provide a further report back to council.

A series of member workshops were held in September 2024 and subsequently a further report was presented to council in November 2024. That report recommended that Council did not write to the Secretary of State and it did not include either a recommendation or an option to write requesting that revocation.

While the report was not supported by Council, Council was not given the opportunity to vote to write to the Secretary of State. However, as a result and following external legal advice, the deputy Mayor confirmed that no resolution has yet been taken by Council to write to the Secretary of State.

For this matter to be taken further, a new motion or report would need to be brought to Council for consideration and decision. 

A recorded vote, in line with Council Procedure Rules was taken on the accuracy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held 6^th November 2024, as follows:

The Deputy Mayor informed the meeting that due to the receipt of several enquiries from Members, the Interim Borough Solicitor had granted a dispensation that permitted all members to participate in the discussion and voting on Item 11 (Motion 2 – Ethical Investment: Divestment from Fossil Fuels and Arms by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund), which is being proposed by the Oldham Group.

There were no other declarations of interests.

The Deputy Mayor advised that the Conservative Group had withdrawn their Amendments to the two Motions detailed at agenda item 10 (Notice of Administration Business).

The Deputy Mayor referred to the recent death of former Councillor Alan Griffiths, who represented the Shaw Ward between 1986 and 2002 and who served as Mayor of the Borough in 1986/87. Accordingly, Councillors Sykes, Dean, Hince and Williamson addressed Council paying their individual condolences and tributes.

Council held a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Griffiths.

Council was advised that Councillor Graham Sheldon had left the Conservative Group and would henceforth sit as an Independent Member. Councillor Byrne was the interim Leader of the Conservative Group.

The Deputy Mayor permitted Councillor Woodvine to address the meeting, who offered a full apology for his behaviour and comments made at the meetings of the Council held on 18^th December 2025 (prior to the adjournment).

The Deputy Mayor permitted Councillor Hince to address the meeting, who offered a full apology for his behaviour and comments made at the meetings of the Council held on 18^th December 2025 (prior to the adjournment).

The Deputy Mayor advised the meeting that two groups of survivors and their advocates, had asked that two short statements be read out at this meeting. Accordingly, on behalf of the two groups of survivors the Deputy Mayor read out the two separate short statements.

Statement 1

The past few months have been very difficult time for us since the decision was made for Oldham to run their own independent inquiry.  In addition to this, the past 2 weeks have been even more stressful, triggering and upsetting, having to watch the world’s media descend on our small town, over such an emotive and extremely personal issue.

Senior politicians have been making decisions on our lives and who they are aiming to try to find a solution to suitably address the suffering and exploitation, the victims and survivors have endured in Oldham for decades. We are aware we’ll never see a decision that everyone will agree on.

Whilst we hoped for and continue to fight for a national inquiry, we appreciate they have come up with a compromise.  Whilst we’ll continue to fight for a victims led national enquiry, for now, we are satisfied that our voices are finally being heard, although we will continue the fight in a way that works for us, to lobby for changes we feel are necessary in shaping a suitable inquiry. Our biggest priority is to hope we can achieve that it be a statutory one.

Our whole ordeal has been traumatic enough, without the extra stress and agitation of having to watch media footage, containing claims of help and actions that didn’t happen and that we have not received. We’ve even been put in the position where certain media interviews are talking on matters that directly concern us without prior warning, consultation or agreed involvement. It’s caused a decline in our mental health and had a serious knock-on effect to our children and families. We don’t take kindly to this, having already feeling unheard for so many years.  Those that have assisted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(time limit 20 minutes)

There are no petitions for this meeting of the council to consider.

There were no petitions for this meeting of the Council to consider.

(time limit 20 minutes)

Young People’s Mental Health

Since 2012, young people have been telling the youth council that mental health is an issue that they face every day and that they need support now.  Since this time we have only seen the need for mental health services increase, especially since the COVID pandemic, and although spending on Mental Health services has increased, it has not dented the need for support seen across Oldham and in the UK.

At the last election, Labour had several manifesto points to improve mental health support for children and young people and we would like to see these implemented as soon as possible.

Council recognises that over the past few years the Oldham Youth Council have made ‘Mental Health’ a priority issue, with it coming in the top 5 issues for Make Your Mark. The council also recognises that we have undertaken much work in this area to improve the experiences of Oldham’s young people.  This includes:

·         Oldham Youth Council first commissioned Kooth.com, an online mental health counselling service, for Oldham’s young people.

·         2013 motion to Council asking for an overview and scrutiny of mental health services.

·         2017 motion asking to ensure that adequate funding is made available to schools and colleges to allow them to invest in the early intervention mental health services.

·         2021 motion asking to secure mental health funding for Oldham.

·         Our work with Oldham Theatre Workshop, highlighting mental health and how professionals can work with young people called Standard Day.

·         Our work with Oldham Theatre Workshop, highlighting self-harm, called Boy in the Black.

·         Our campaign called SNAP that promoted Kooth.com and the support they provide for depression, stress/anxiety and eating disorders.

·         Our campaign ‘I Love Me’, raising young people’s self-esteem and confidence.

Council notes:

·         That mental health issues have risen, with a 12% increase in cases since pre COVID.

·         That consultation undertaken by the Youth Council would suggest schools and teachers are still not able to fully support young people’s mental health.

·         That according to several sources the average waiting time to get an appointment for Mental Health assessments in Oldham is 16-18 weeks

·         That the waiting time between initial assessment and treatment could be over a year.

·         In 2022/23, just under £1B was spent on Children and Young People’s mental health compared to the £12.8B on all mental health services.  This was despite the understanding that 50% of mental health illnesses in adults start showing symptoms by the age of 14, and 75% experience symptoms before they are 24.

·         Labour’s manifesto said that in the first term they would invest in front line services recruiting 8,500 new staff to reduce waiting times.

·         That the manifesto also said that labour’s new Young Futures Hubs would have open access to mental health support for children and young people in every community

We propose that Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister and Secretary of state for Health to request an increase to children and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

The Deputy Mayor informed Members that the Youth Council’s Motion was to be deferred to the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

(time limit 15 Minutes)

To consider questions submitted by members of the public.

1.    Question from Shona Farnworth

What are the plans for accessible homes for those with visible and non- visible disabilities as we the public do not know what the plans are around the lack of accessible homes stock within the council as the Tommyfield market should become this space?

Councillor Taylor, Statutory Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Decent Homes repliedthanking Ms Farnworth for her question, noting that all newly constructed dwellings have to be built to the ‘accessible and adaptable’ standards by law, so new homes being built will be easier to adapt for use by those with visible and non-visible disabilities.

The Council’s Local Plan is in the final stages of development and may include further planning policies to provide homes specifically for those with disabilities, and we would welcome input and suggestions on how this could be done as we progress through the final stages on consultation.

Councillor Taylor undertook to email Ms Farnworth about her specific ideas and suggestions so we can review them as part of this ongoing work.

2.    Question from Lewis Farnworth

What Support for Full time unpaid carers as the government budget left out full time unpaid carers living on £81.90 for 90+ hours a week care we provide as we are struggling. We have to choose whether to pay bills or eat?

Councillor Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Health, Social care and Wellbeing replied, thanking Mr Farnworth for his question, adding that the Council has a strong commitment to carers to support them in their caring role.

We have put together a comprehensive package of support to make sure that no Oldhamer goes hungry or cold this Winter. We have used Household Support Funding from the Government to bolster our offer. This includes funding our Warm Homes Team to provide emergency fuel vouchers for pre-paid meters and to provide advice and guidance on reducing energy consumption. We have also invested in emergency supermarket vouchers to support residents to purchase food and essential items as well as funding Oldham Foodbank to maintain stock levels.

We will contact Mr Farnworth and offer support for schemes that he is eligible for this winter.

Additional support for carers includes support from the carers service who are able to complete an updated Carers assessment.  An option to contact Adult Social Care for the cared for to request or a reassessment if it is felt this appropriate

It is also advisable to contact Age UK/ Citizens Advice Bureau/DWP to check you are on the right benefits and if there are any additional support services you can approach. 

However I reiterate our message of support this winter, please don’t hesitate to call our Helpline on 0161 770 7007.

3.    Question from Phillida Ship

Can the Cabinet Member for Decent Homes explain what the process would be for developing a new Local Plan if Oldham withdraws from Places for Everyone?

How long would it take from starting the process again to the adoption of a Plan and how much  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(Time limit 90 minutes)

Leader and Cabinet Members to present their reports.

Non-executive members may ask questions.

a.    Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Building a Better Oldham – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 14^th October 2024 and 18^th November 2024, the meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 25^th October 2024.

b.    Deputy Leader and Decent Home Portfolio Holder

c.    Deputy Leader and Value for Money and Sustainability Portfolio Holder

d.    Children and Young People’s Portfolio Holder

e.    Education and Skills Portfolio Holder

f.     Enterprise Portfolio Holder

g.    Adults, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

h.    Don’t Trash Oldham Portfolio Holder

i.      Thriving Communities and Culture Portfolio Holder

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members to present their reports and further invited non-executive members to ask questions thereon, as follows:

a.    Councillor Shah, Leader and Building a Better Oldham Portfolio – including the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held 14^th October 2024 and 18^th November 2024 and the Minutes of the meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held 25^th October 2024.

Councillor Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Question 1: Place for Everyone

I want to ask about something that we debated on the minutes the council meeting on 6^th November when Members voted by 30 to 29 to write to the Secretary of State, calling for Oldham to be removed from Places for Everyone. Everyone in the chamber knew what that vote was that's the way they spoke it was clear from the speeches on both the Labour side and opposition members there was no doubt what people thought they were voting for and instead of honouring or being weaselled out of a democratic decision made by the Council, the Administration has used what looks like every trick in the book to avoid writing to the Secretary of State and they think they're being clever just like they think  they're being clever with at least four planted labour questions about this very same issue.

Mr Deputy Mayor is it the Labour group's policy that the council will have to vote and debate once again, the issue of Places for Everyone before they write to the Secretary of State just because they didn't like the result last time?

Councillor Shah Leader of the Council replied, thank you Councillor Sykes for your question however I do think there's some irony in this like so there's if there's something about and a common theme that runs across the chamber it's when people don't like the outcome of something they like to say it's a conspiracy or it's wrong but actually um you've actually given me an opportunity to set the matter straight um to which I'm really thankful for again. So, I have to say that I've actually had no involvement in the procedure around the decision not to write to the Deputy Prime Minister to request that we withdraw from places for everyone it's very clear that the administration agrees with Places for Everyone however the report before Council, on 6^th November 2024, didn't actually mandate officers to write to the Deputy Prime Minister to request the removal of Oldham for Places for Everyone. The vote was on the recommendations contained in the submitted report.

Question 2: Social Care:

My second question, I think, is equally as serious since about the winter crisis and the problems we're encountering in Social Care, Mr Deputy Mayor. The NHS is facing it's not a double whammy it's not a triple whammy it's a quadruple whammy in terms of the respiratory diseases that people are getting. I understand it in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Get Britain Working
To be moved by Councillor Shah
Seconded by Councillor Mohon Ali

This Council notes the publication of the Get Britain Working White Paper which signals a cross-Government approach to building an economy where everyone can have the opportunity of secure, rewarding and fulfilling work

This Council further notes that Get Oldham Working has been providing support for employees, employers and those seeking employment since 2013 and has created almost 20,000 opportunities including filling 12,000 jobs, nearly 2,000 apprenticeships and 400 traineeships plus helping just under 1,800 residents into work experience placements.

This Council supports the approach laid out in the White Paper which will provide:

·         support for people to get back into work if they are outside the workforce (and help to stay in employment if they have a health condition)

·         access to training, an apprenticeship, or help to find work for young people (including help to avoid losing touch with the workforce at a young age)

·         help for people to get a job, upskill, and get on in their career, whether they are unemployed or in employment, alongside clear obligations on people to take up support and do in return everything they can to work

·         support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff

This Council welcomes the joined-up proposals including investing in the NHS to get people treated more quickly, expansion of mental health support and setting up a Jobs and Careers Service (replacing JobCentre +) with the focus on supporting people back into work by providing a personalised service. Every 18-to-21-year old in England will have access to an apprenticeship, quality training and education opportunities or help to find a job under a new ‘Youth Guarantee’. The Connect to Work scheme will provide voluntary employment offers to people with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to work.

This Council looks forward to the outcome of the Independent Review to better support employers to take on, and keep in work, people with disabilities.

This Council believes that the experience of Get Oldham Working and the Greater Manchester Live Well programme means Oldham is well placed to make the most of these opportunities, in particular the investment from the Greater Manchester trailblazer to mobilise local work, health and skills support.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Organise a Get Britain Working summit as soon as practicable to brief partners on the White Paper and to work through the opportunities from the Labour Government’s investment, including the trailblazer, to design a Get Britian Working Plan for Oldham.

2.    Review the impact of Get Oldham Working and consider how Get Britain Working can enhance our local offer building on the good links with 800 local employers, integrated and personalised advice, guidance and skills support and mental health therapy already available.

3.    Do everything possible to ensure Oldham residents benefit from the opportunities offered by Get Britain Working, including ensuring that our young people make the most of the ‘Youth Guarantee’.

Motion 2: B  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Motion 1: Get Britain Working

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Ali SECONDED the following Motion:

This Council notes the publication of the Get Britain Working White Paper which signals a cross-Government approach to building an economy where everyone can have the opportunity of secure, rewarding and fulfilling work.

This Council further notes that Get Oldham Working has been providing support for employees, employers and those seeking employment since 2013 and has created almost 20,000 opportunities including filling 12,000 jobs, nearly 2,000 apprenticeships and 400 traineeships plus helping just under 1,800 residents into work experience placements.

This Council supports the approach laid out in the White Paper which will provide:

·         support for people to get back into work if they are outside the workforce (and help to stay in employment if they have a health condition)

·         access to training, an apprenticeship, or help to find work for young people (including help to avoid losing touch with the workforce at a young age)

·         help for people to get a job, upskill, and get on in their career, whether they are unemployed or in employment, alongside clear obligations on people to take up support and do in return everything they can to work.

·         support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff.

This Council welcomes the joined-up proposals including investing in the NHS to get people treated more quickly, expansion of mental health support and setting up a Jobs and Careers Service (replacing JobCentre+) with the focus on supporting people back into work by providing a personalised service. Every 18-to-21-year-old in England will have access to an apprenticeship, quality training and education opportunities or help to find a job under a new ‘Youth Guarantee’. The Connect to Work scheme will provide voluntary employment offers to people with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to work.

This Council looks forward to the outcome of the Independent Review to better support employers to take on, and keep in work, people with disabilities.

This Council believes that the experience of Get Oldham Working and the Greater Manchester Live Well programme means Oldham is well placed to make the most of these opportunities, in particular the investment from the Greater Manchester trailblazer to mobilise local work, health and skills support.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Organise a Get Britain Working summit as soon as practicable to brief partners on the White Paper and to work through the opportunities from the Labour Government’s investment, including the trailblazer, to design a Get Britian Working Plan for Oldham.

2.    Review the impact of Get Oldham Working and consider how Get Britain Working can enhance our local offer building on the good links with 800 local employers, integrated and personalised advice, guidance and skills support and mental health therapy already available.

3.    Do everything possible to ensure Oldham residents benefit from the opportunities offered by Get Britain Working, including ensuring that our young people make the most of the ‘Youth Guarantee’.

On being put to the vote the MOTION  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(time limit 30 minutes)

Motion 1: Social Care Funding Crisis: National Insurance Contributions  
To be moved by Councillor Al-Hamdani
Seconded by Councillor Hamblett

Council notes that: From April next year employer’s National Insurance contributions will increase by 1.2% and the threshold at which employers must contribute to National Insurance will be reduced to all employees earning £5,000 or more.

The Institute of General Practice Management has estimated that the rise will mean the average GP surgery’s tax bill will go up by around £20,000 a year. The 6,275 GP practices in England could end up facing a total of £125.5M a year in additional costs. This and other key parts of our health services unlike hospital staff are not except from this increase.

This is the equivalent of providing 2.24 million GP appointments, at £56 per appointment. The average GP surgery could therefore lose the equivalent of 357 appointments a year.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has revealed that, by its calculations, local authorities would face £1.8B in extra costs in 2025-26 due to increases in employers’ NICs and the national living wage (NLW) announced in the last Budget, along with inflation.

While principal councils will be exempt from the rise in employer NICs, the Government it has offered no such protection to care providers, which the Nuffield Trust has estimated will face £940m in extra costs from the measure in 2025–26.

Council further notes that:

This is likely to have a significant impact on the cost of the social care to Oldham Council, which is already this year facing a £20 million overspend predicted, with overspend on adult social care at £3.8m, and children’s services at £6.6m. This increase in NICs will severely hamper the Council’s attempts to cut its overspend and could wipe out any predicted improvements in its financial position as a result of changes to the formula for spending indicated.

Council resolves to:

1.    Write to the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government to demand that the NIC exemption is changed to ensure that health services and social care – which makes up such a significant proportion of local government spending – are included, in line with their statement that “Reform and prevention are critical if we are to turn around the cycle of system failure and cost escalation.”

2.    To write to local MPs Jim McMahon, Debbie Abrahams, and Lucy Powell asking for their support in a review of the impact of the increase, including:

•      the cost implications for funding health and social care in Oldham of the NIC increase;

•      the implications for Council Tax rises to meet the demand for social care funding;

•      the potential reduction in availability of GP services which are already stretched.

Motion 2: Ethical Investment: Divestment from Fossil Fuels and Arms by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund
To be moved by Councillor Kouser
Seconded by Councillor Montaz Ali Azad

This Council notes - Oldham’s Ethical and Climate Leadership:

•      In July 2019,  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Motion 1 – Social Care Funding Crisis: National Insurance Contributions.

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Hamblett SECONDED the following Motion:

Council notes that: From April next year employer’s National Insurance contributions will increase by 1.2% and the threshold at which employers must contribute to National Insurance will be reduced to all employees earning £5,000 or more.

The Institute of General Practice Management has estimated that the rise will mean the average GP surgery’s tax bill will go up by around £20,000 a year. The 6,275 GP practices in England could end up facing a total of £125.5M a year in additional costs. This and other key parts of our health services unlike hospital staff are not except from this increase.

This is the equivalent of providing 2.24 million GP appointments, at £56 per appointment. The average GP surgery could therefore lose the equivalent of 357 appointments a year.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has revealed that, by its calculations, local authorities would face £1.8B in extra costs in 2025-26 due to increases in employers’ NICs and the national living wage (NLW) announced in the last Budget, along with inflation.

While principal councils will be exempt from the rise in employer NICs, the Government it has offered no such protection to care providers, which the Nuffield Trust has estimated will face £940m in extra costs from the measure in 2025–26.

Council further notes that:

This is likely to have a significant impact on the cost of the social care to Oldham Council, which is already this year facing a £20 million overspend predicted, with overspend on adult social care at £3.8m, and children’s services at £6.6m. This increase in NICs will severely hamper the Council’s attempts to cut its overspend and could wipe out any predicted improvements in its financial position as a result of changes to the formula for spending indicated.

Council resolves to:

1. Write to the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government to demand that the NIC exemption is changed to ensure that health services and social care – which makes up such a significant proportion of local government spending – are included, in line with their statement that “Reform and prevention are critical if we are to turn around the cycle of system failure and cost escalation.”
2. To write to local MPs Jim McMahon, Debbie Abrahams, and Lucy Powell asking for their support in a review of the impact of the increase, including:

•      the cost implications for funding health and social care in Oldham of the NIC increase;

•      the implications for Council Tax rises to meet the demand for social care funding;

•      the potential reduction in availability of GP services which are already stretched.

AMENDMENT

Councillor Dean MOVED and Councillor Aftab Hussain SECONDED the following AMENDMENT:

Council notes that:

From April next year employer’s National Insurance contributions will increase by 1.2% and the threshold at which employers must contribute to National Insurance will be reduced to all employees earning £5,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

A report thatadvises Council of theperformance ofthe TreasuryManagement functionfor the first half of 2024/25 and provides a comparison of performanceagainst the 2024/25 Treasury Management Strategy and the Treasury Management PrudentialIndicators.

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report of the Director of Finance that advised Council ofthe performanceof theTreasury Managementfunction for the first half of 2024/25 and provides a comparison of performanceagainst the 2024/25 Treasury Management Strategy and the Treasury Management PrudentialIndicators.

Council was required to consider the performance of the Treasury Managementfunction to comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance andAccountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management (revised 2021). The submitted report provided an additional update and included the new requirement in the 2021 Code, which had been mandatory from 1^st April 2023, of quarterly reporting of the treasury management prudential indicators. The reporttherefore presented the keyTreasury Managementissues forMembers’ informationand reviewand outlines:

·                     An economic update for the first half of 2024/25 (External Context).

·                     Net Borrowing and Investments (Local Context).

·                     A review and updates of the Council’s current treasury management position.

·                     Council Borrowing.

·                     Treasury Investment Activity.

·                     Treasury Performance for the first half of the year.

·                     Compliance.

·                     Treasury Management Prudential Indicators.

RESOLVED:

That Council:

1.    Approves the Treasury Management Half Year Review report.

2.    Approves the proposed revisions to the Maturity Structure of Borrowing, outlined in section 2.10.5, of the submitted report.

3.    Approves the proposed revision to the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts outlined in section 2.8 and Appendix 2 of the submitted report.

4.    Approves the proposed revision to the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy outlined in section 2.7 and Appendix 4, of the submitted report.

To consider actions taken arising from previous Council meetings.

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Taylor SECONDED a report of the Interim Borough Solicitor which updated members on actions taken following the meeting of the Council held on 6^th November 2024 and also on any updated responses from meetings held in the last 12 months.

RESOLVED:

That the actions regarding motions and issues from the meeting of the Council held on 6^th November 2024, be noted and confirmed.

The Council is asked to consider a proposed draft calendar of meetings for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Jabbar SECONDED a report of the Interim Borough Solicitor which sought approval of the draft Calendar of Meetings for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED that:

1.   The Council’s Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2025/2026 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

2.   Approval of any outstanding dates be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with Group Leaders.

A report seeking approval for the updated Gambling Policy.

Councillor Taylor MOVED and Councillor Goodwin SECONDED a report of the Director of Environment whih updated members of the Council following a review of the Council’s Gambling Policy and to seek approval of the update policy.

RESOLVED that:

Council approves the Council’s Gambling Policy, as detailed in the Appendixx to the Director of Environment’s report, with an implementation date of 1^st January 2025, for a three year period.